National Consultant for MNTE pre-validation assessment in South Sudan (APW - Contract). In Multiple Field Locations

Background

South Sudan completed in 2022, the mandatory three rounds of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV) supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), which targeted women of reproductive age in neonatal tetanus (NT) high risk counties. In line with WHO guideline for the global initiative, the Ministry of Health (MoH) South Sudan sent an official request in 2023, to WHO South Sudan for technical support to conduct a pre-validation assessment to verify possible achievement of maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) in the country. Due to other competing public health priorities in the country and the unfavorable weather patterns, especially, the heavy seasonal rainfalls (usually from April to October) during most part of the year in the country, the assessment was postponed to Q1/2025.

The pre-validation assessment requires the identification of four to five MNT sub-optimally performing counties through NT risk analysis using data from various sources to assess the performances of core and surrogate MNTE indicators. Assessments using WHO standard checklists are conducted in the selected counties at county, health facility and community levels.

Ten (10) experienced Public Health Specialists will be recruited from local public health institutions and trained as national consultants on APW contracts for the assessment in the five selected counties (two consultants per county).

Terms of reference

The experienced Public Health Experts with previous experience in reviewing health programs including immunization at the county, health facility and community levels will be guided by the following terms of reference:

1.Interview of Immunization, vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance and maternal and newborn health program focal persons at the county and health facility levels, using standard WHO checklist (questionnaires).

2.Review data and relevant technical documents on the performance of core and surrogate MNTE performance indicators at the county and health facility levels.

3.Observe and document using the checklists, vaccine, cold chain and data management practices at the county and health facility level.

4.Interview randomly selected women of reproductive age in communities about their TTCV vaccination, delivery status and cord care practices during their most recent pregnancy and delivery respectively, in the 24 months prior to the assessment.

5.Analyze collected data and information with the international consultants and make conclusions on the status of elimination in the assessed county.

Duration of consultancy

The consultancy will have a duration of two (2) weeks tentatively from 06 – 20 April 2025 with requirement for the consultants to travel to their counties of assignment for data collection for three (3) to four (4) days.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

§Undergraduate (Postgraduate preferable) degree in medical sciences or other related fields.

Experience

§Experience with conducting expanded programme on immunization (EPI) other public health program reviews and community-based surveys over a minimum period of five years.

Skills/Knowledge

§Scientific and technical knowledge in the field of immunization, especially training, supervision and programme assessment or review.

§Demonstrated skills in the implementation of assessments, evaluations and surveys and in supporting the implementation of MNTE assessments.

§Strong communication skills.

Languages and level required.

§Proficient in English reading and writing.

Remuneration

§Based on the WCO HR & Finance policies

Additional Information (For HR use only):

·This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

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